FRIDA' S LIST

Chapter 23 DREAMS

They were both out of sight now. I had this feeling as if I had lost them both forever. It was probably what we call "kill two birds with one stone." I kept watching the quiet street when I felt her hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, you okay?" Maeva asked.

"I don't know."

"What happened to them? We heard the screams outside, and ran over to see what was going on. Imagine our surprise when we saw you and them!" Maeva went on.

"It's Steve who picked the fight," I said as if it mattered.

"It's the most epic birthday I've ever had!" Celestin said.

"I'll bet. Why did you invite both of them? It was unconscious. They hate each other!" I told Maeva.

"Maybe, it's because you kissed both of them," she said.

"What? It's not like that."

Celestin picked up Steve's gift off the grass.

"Yeah, we thought it would help you out, you know, to see your feelings," Maeva replied.

"Well played," I scoffed.

"Please, Frida. You don't have to pretend with me. You know that, right? We're friends," she said.

I don't know why but Maeva had always thought that I liked Steve more than I actually did. I was sure about my feelings. I LOVED ANTHONY and nobody else.

"I'm not pretending anything, Maeva."

"Just admit it, Frida," she urged.

"Admit what?"

"You have a thing with Steve. Admit it," she went on.

"What thing?"

"Frida, you like him. C'mon. He's like you. He's weird and you like it."

"He's a friend, nothing more. There's not any doubt. I already picked a side a long time ago."

She paused and didn't take her eyes off mine.

"Does he know?" she asked.

"What?"

"About the way you feel about him? Have you ever told Steve that he was just a friend?"

I paused. We exchanged a last glance. She squeezed my hand and smiled at me. I was about to leave them when Celestin stopped me.

"Wait, Frida. I think this gift's for you," he added, handing me Steve's gift.

It was a portrait of me. Steve had represented me better than I was.

"And I have inside a DVD called: "Elle et lui," he added.

"Keep them. And thank you, guys. I gotta go," I said.

"Do you think it's too late to ask for American stamps?" Celestin asked.

Some things never change I guess. I smiled at him and left the party. I went after Anthony. I called him several times on his phone but he didn't answer. So I decided to stop by his place. I walked until there. The night was cold now, and the wind blew softly on my face. At Anthony's apartment, everything seemed quiet. I knocked at the front door, but no one answered. Outside, I looked at the lifeless street. Where was he? I walked back home, hoping that he would call me back.

******

The following day, nothing had changed. Tony hadn't called me back or texted me to say: "Hi, leave me alone. Thanks."